GMA celebrates 67th birthday with kin, allies

MANILA, Philippines - Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is celebrating her 67th birthday today under detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, with a rare, large gathering of well-wishers consisting of high school friends, relatives and political allies.

Ferdinand Topacio, one of the lawyers of the Arroyos, said at least 50 visitors were allowed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to join in the birthday celebration and they were divided into three batches so as not to crowd Arroyo’s hospital room.

He said the guests include the lawmaker’s childhood friends, high school classmates at the Assumption College, former Cabinet members, some colleagues in the House of Representatives and relatives.

Additional tables and plastic chairs were set up inside the hospital room and just outside it.

The first batch will be allowed to enter the premises at 9 a.m. to join Arroyo for breakfast, and the second batch will come in for lunch. Dinner is reserved for the family, including her grandchildren, Topacio said.

Food will be catered but guests are expected to contribute food and drinks. All visitors would be under strict security checks by the PNP personnel stationed outside the hospital room, he added.

Arroyo is facing plunder charges in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds during her incumbency.